Oaklands Church

The small church at Oaklands sits quietly in the Powys countryside, a modest stone building that rewards a detour if you're already wandering the Mid Wales lanes. It's the sort of place that catches you off guard - no fanfare, no visitor centre, just a working church with genuine character. The interior is simple and unfussy, typical of rural Welsh churches from this era, and there's something rather refreshing about that lack of polish.

Walkers tackling routes near Brecon Beacons Camping & Caravan Park, five miles away, might swing by without adding much time to their route. It's not a destination in itself - you'll spend perhaps twenty minutes inside if you're thorough - but it slots in nicely as a stop during a broader exploration of the area. The surroundings are genuinely lovely, rolling hills and proper countryside that makes you remember why people camp out here.

Access is straightforward enough, and there's no entry fee that I'm aware of, though do check locally as opening times aren't widely advertised. Spring and summer are obviously the better seasons for a visit, when the churchyard itself is worth lingering in. If you're keen on quiet country churches and don't mind a bit of hunting around for opening times, it's worth knowing about. Just don't expect signposting or visitor facilities - this is the real, unglamorous version of rural Wales.